Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) to his family
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03603.146 Author/Creator: Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) Place Written: Antietam Creek, Maryland Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 25 September 1862 Pagination: 2 p. Order a Copy
Reports that they have been ordered to Harpers Ferry. Writes that he will be unable to take his furlough because of Lieutenant Eaton's and Lieutenant Shepard's injuries from battle. Requests that newspapers with stories about the battle be saved or mailed to him. Also mentions that the regiment may go to Washington, D.C. to recruit. Describes the Chaplain's heroic service to the regiment during the battle, saying that he was the last to walk off the field though slightly wounded. Also says that though the 8th regiment had many wounded and a few killed, that other regiments and companies had much greater losses.
Mouth of Antietam Creek Md Sept 25. 1862 PM Dear All, We have orders to leave this place where we have been bivou acked the past 3 or 4 days, to proceed to Harpers Ferry. I am very well we had all become quite strongly impressed that we were to return to was hington to recruit & I really thought the time for my long talked of furlough was near at hand but every thing tends to oppose it. Lt. Eaton's wound is much more severe than at first supposed. the ball is still in his hip, & I presume both Lt. Eaton & Lt. Shepard are on their way to Washington or home before this. Please preserve papers with accounts of the battle of Antietam, Sharpsburg or what ever it is called, to send to me. We were only in the Battle of South Mountain as reserve. Were stationed on a hill in a thick wood & remained there while the battle raged in front & around us received two letters from you while there and read them while the cannon were booming all round. Our chaplain did his whole duty during our last battle. He was with us the whole time attending to the wounded, carrying them off & was one of the last to quit the field tho' wounded slightly himself. All praise to him this time. I had 18 wounded & not one killed two are yet doubtful but I hope may recover. Our Regt is about the size of a full company & at (some) Dress Parade last night it did make me feel truly sad to look at the line & think what it was when I presided at Jamaica & c. Must close with best love always from your affec son & bro. Glad Ellen is in Litchfield & enjoying her self so much. Recd letters to 16th this one brought by Adjt Gates. Love Chas
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